NAPS HAT-TRICK FOR OUR LUCKY SHAMROCK: It was all Fame And Glory (WON 11-8) this week as Shamrock landed yesterday’s Ascot Gold Cup for his third consecutive winning nap, following Power (WON 4-1) and Experience (WON 1-2).
FIVE DOUBLES UP IN THREE DAYS: He doubled Fame And Glory with Banimpire (WON 3-1) for his fifth winning double in the three days. He’s also had a treble up. There’s a yankee today.
OUTSIDER BETS TODAY: Shamrock’s outsider bets have had a great week, too, with 17.0 Betdaq-value bet, Lady Bennett (WON 14-1), and Zoffany (2nd 20-1). There are two more outsiders today.
ROYAL ASCOT: We’re so strong on the ground at Royal Ascot today that I don’t know which one to nap, Teolane or Together. I’ll certainly be putting them together in a double!
The vote has to go to Teolane (2.30), now that her race has cut up. Jim Bolger has nursed this daughter of his luckless champion, Teofilo, steadily increasing her targets.
That she has delivered on firm ground may worry some but Teofilo himself won his best race, the Dewhurst, on just such an easy surface as today’s.
As runner-up in two Guineas, Together (3.45) would follow the stats in winning the Coronation Stakes, though it’s a worry that she hasn’t had her head in front where it matters for nearly a year now.
Across The Rhine (5.35) has an each-way chance, not disgraced behind Famous Name and Lolly For Dolly. So does Tetrarch third Alexander Pope (3.05), who won the Gallinule, with stablemate Last Crusade fifth and Adilapour behind.
LIMERICK: Last Crusade and Adilapour meet again tonight in the Martin Molony Stakes (7.10) but top – Bob Le Beau – and bottom – Malayan Mist – of their card look formidable opponents. What a race!
When Bob le Beau chased home So You Think in the Mooresbridge, he seemed second only to a champion. Things haven’t quite worked out so! Meanwhile, Malayan Mist – getting 16lb here – has been gaining experience at a much lower level but threatening to make this step up in class.
But we can only go on what the book says: it tells me that Malayan Mist’s relatives are in the handicapper club, not among the elite, and it says that the filly she beat at Leopardstown has herself been beaten in just such handicaps since. The weight difference tonight may not be enough.
Adilapour, winner of the Gowran Classic Trial, comes out Listed capable on a line through the runner-up and fans shouldn’t desert him yet.
Ger Lyons has been in good form and Polly Floyer (6.35), who landed a gamble for Walter Swinburn last November, has his first race for the Dunsany yard.
DOWN ROYAL: Brilliant jumper Mossey Joe (8.25) can grab the headlines again: he has to give around two stone to all bar two but, in fact, the bottom six are all out of the handicap and Harold’s Cross has shot up 22lb for wins in ordinary company.
The Fonze (won a hurdle on this card last year), Skip Two and Selection Box are likely to level out at the age of 10 and ‘Mossey’ can make his class tell.
Sometimes the market shines a light on a dark horse, and it was no small potatoes they put on Sir Walter Raleigh (7.20) at Downpatrick three weeks or so back, when he was squeezed out as he challenged and unseated rider.
He’d shown nothing to suggest he was worth such support.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Teolane (2.30 Royal Ascot)
NEXT BEST: Together (3.45 Royal Ascot)
EACH-WAY: Across The Rhine (5.35 Royal Ascot), Ma Browne (5.35 Limerick), Sir Walter Raleigh (7.20 Down Royal)
OUTSIDER DOUBLE: Across The Rhine (5.35 Royal Ascot) and Ma Browne (5.35 Limerick)
DAQ YANKEE: Teolane (2.30 Royal Ascot), Together (3.45 Royal Ascot), Bob Le Beau (7.10 Limerick) and Mossey Joe (8.25 Down Royal)
